Picked up the new '05 400i manual shift today. The wife decided that for the difference in the price that we got on the manual that the auto wasn't worth it (We stoled the the thing at their cost as the guy screwed up the quote). Got the $69 winch also. On the way home we gased it up and went of a little 14 mile ride to check it out. The boss lady is sold on it and it went everywhere we aimed it today. Very pleased and happy with it.

 

congrats, I thought the 250 got you everywere, why'd you get a 500? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

The old 250 is still with us and did duty during this last hunting season, which ended sunday the 21st of November. The Boss(wife) wanted to start riding more and she decided we could use a second machine. I finally sold off all my old race motors and had some spare bucks. She originally wanted an auto, so the 400 was it. But after spending some time with the 250 she decided she can deal with the manual shift and besides the 400 manual was only $5000 plus winch, registration with the state and tax. A thousand less than the higher demand auto. So the red beast came home with us. Now the war of the sexes is on over who rides what and when. Could have gotten a used 2002 300 4X4 for half that, but we opted for the electric shift front axle with the locker on the handle bar. The 250 stays and if there is rough riding to do I'm sure she will ride the more powerful 400 while I make the 250 get through the tough places. That's married life though and it works for me.

 

OK, another stupid question from this Arctic cat newbie... I take it the"i" on the end of the 400 means the "independent suspension"? I've seen that on several websites when looking for parts for my new 500 but, I'm not sure what that means.

You can call me stupid... just tell me what it means in the process :-)

 

Yes it does cyber

 

Glad to hear it Bear, you will really be happy with that ATV, I sure wish I had the locker as it makes a big difference. Be sure to give it 300 miles or so to break in the engine, it seems like the more miles I put on mine the stronger it gets. Gas miledge is up too, I now can get 25mpg without a problem. Congrats.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Cattleman, I know we are gonna like 400I. It's fairly stout in the go department now. Momma is gonna run it's legs off. The first time on it she disappeared around the corner in the road a 1/4 of a mile away and was 15 minutes getting back with a major grin on her face. So the "Red Brut" as she calls it has found a home. Have already made plans for extra fuel cans of our longer runs, so I'm not real concerned about the fuel, besides the 500s, 650s and 700s we run with get even worse gas mileage.

 

Bear,

You (or should I say your wife) should be very happy with the new toy. I wouldn't trade my manual for anything. Did you get that from the dealership is Chehalis? or did you find it some place else?

Sounds like a good price I paid $4500 for my 03 plus the $69 winch. Wish I would have upgraded the tires when I bought it but now that the Mud Lites are on all I can say is WOW! It now goes throung, or over anything I point it at. My friend says the grin on my face is either an "oh $hit grin" or " I am scared out of my mind grin" mostly a combination of the two with the new tires.

Just for fun next time you are out with the big boys (650's, 700's etc) put the 400 in 2-low and see how far you can go in the places others are in 4-wheel drive! It really impresses the crap out of me when I do that.

Enjoy, and safe riding.
SJ

 

Swampyjunior, Yes, I got it from Industrial Specialties in Chehalis and got a great deal, as I saw the dealer's invoice so I know they made nothing on this deal. I did a little crawling across a clear cut through the ruts left by the skidder (and they say ATV's tear up the country side) on monday afternoon looking for a place I'd need 4X4 and hopefully the locker. No such luck, low range got me across with out a hitch, even through the gully that was steep and nasty.

 

Hey Bear, lets see some picts of the new machine!